sb. Forms: 4–5 teatre, 4– theatre, 5– theater. [ad. (directly, or through OF.) L. theātrum, a. Gr. θέᾱτρον, a place for viewing, esp. a theatre, f. θεᾶσθαι to behold (cf. θέα sight, view, θεατής a spectator). The word was completely naturalized in L., whence It., Sp. teatro, Pg. theatro, OF. teatre, theatre (12–13th c.), whence perh. the ME. forms, mod.F. théâtre; also Ger., Du., Da. thea·ter, Sw. tea·ter.
The earliest recorded Eng. forms, c. 1380, are theatre and teatre; from c. 1550 to 1700, or later, the prevalent spelling was theater (so in Dictionaries from Cawdrey to Kersey), but theatre in Holland, Milton, Fuller, Dryden, Addison, Pope; Bailey 1721 has both, ‘Theatre, Theater’: and between 1720 and 1750, theater was dropped in Britain, but has been retained or (?) revived in U.S.]
1. Gr. and Rom. Antiq. A place constructed in the open air, for viewing dramatic plays or other spectacles.
It had the form of a segment of a circle; the auditorium was usually excavated from a hill-side, the seats rising in tiers above and behind one another; the orchestra, occupied by the chorus, separated the stage from the auditorium.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., I. pr. i. 2 (Camb. MS.). Comune strompetes of swich a place þat men clepyn the theatre.
1382. Wyclif, Acts xix. 29. Thei maden a sawt with oon ynwit, or wille, in to the teatre [gloss or comune biholdyng place].
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, III. 5442. In compleynynge, pitously in rage, In þe theatre, with a ded visage.
1540–1. Elyot, Image Gov., 69. Many woulde resorte to the common houses called Theatres, and purposing some matter of philosophy, wold there dispute openly.
1591. Spenser, Ruins of Time, 92. High towers, faire temples, goodly theaters.
1697. Potter, Antiq. Greece, I. viii. I. 37. Ωδειον was a Musick-Theater, Built by Pericles.
1840. Arnold, Hist. Rome, xxxvii. II. 477. The whole Tarentine people were assembled in the theatre.
† b. An amphitheatre. Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1027. Swich a noble Theatre as it was, I dar wel seyn in this world ther nas.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 2 b. Then he graunted them the battaill & assigned the place to be at the citee of Coventree … where he caused a sumpteous theatre and listes royal … to be prepared.
c. A natural formation or place suggesting such a structure.
1652. Donne’s Epigr., Poems, 102. O wilt thou be Diana, haunt these fields, This Theater both woods and fountains yeelds?
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 141. Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre Of stateliest view.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, V. 377. A native theatre, which rising slow, By just degrees o’erlook’d the ground below.
1727–46. Thomson, Summer, 720. Mid the central depth of blackening woods, High-rais’d in solemn theatre around.
1818. Byron, Ch. Har., IV. xlviii. Girt by her theatre of hills.
1886. Ruskin, Præterita, I. ix. 288. In Jura is a far retiring theatre of rising terraces.
† d. A circular basin of water. Obs.
1645. Evelyn, Diary, 5 May. A streame precipitating into a large theater of water. Ibid. In one of these theaters of water is an Atlas spouting up the streame to a very great height.
2. In modern use, An edifice specially adapted to dramatic representations; a playhouse.
Its essential parts, as in sense 1, are the stage for the actors, and the auditorium (the latter consisting of ranges of seats, one above another); the stage is furnished with movable scenes and more or less elaborate stage machinery for their production and removal. In 16–17th c the building was only partially roofed; it is now entirely under cover.
At first apparently the proper name of a particular playhouse in Shoreditch, outside the City of London, built 1576: see Arber, Gosson’s School of Abuse, Introd. 8, and early quots.
Patent theatre, a theatre established or licensed by royal letters patent (the first two of which were granted in 1603). Their exclusive privileges were abolished in 1843. Saloon theatre, Variety theatre: see quots. 1892, 1902. Picture theatre, a hall in which kinematographic pictures are exhibited, a ‘picture palace.’
1577. Northbrooke, Dicing (1579), 29 b. Those places … which are made vp and builded for suche Plaies and Enterludes, as the Theatre and Curtaine is.
1578. J. Stockwood, Serm. Paul’s Cross, 24. If you resorte to the Theatre, the Curtayne, and other places of Playes in the Citie. Ibid., 134. The gorgeous Playing place erected in the fieldes … as they please to haue it called, a Theatre.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., V. ii. 23. As in a Theater, the eyes of men After a well grac’d Actor leaues the Stage, Are idlely bent on him that enters next.
1603. Drayton, Odes, vii. 56. Till with shrill Claps the Theater doe shake.
a. 1658. Cleveland, Christchurch Windows, 215. Those that before our Glass Scaffolds prefer Would turn our Temple to a Theater.
1701. Lond. Gaz., No. 3750/4. The Patentees of the Theater-Royal in Covent-Garden.
1788. Act 28 Geo. III., c. 30. Such Trajedies, Comedies,… Plays, or Farces, as now are, or hereafter shall be acted, performed, or represented at either of the Patent or Licensed Theatres in the City of Westminster.
1864. Doran, Ann. of Stage, II. xi. Suppl. 186. List of the principal Dramatic Pieces produced at the Patent Theatres, from the Retirement of Garrick to the End of the Eighteenth Century.
1888. Williams, in Encycl. Brit., XXIII. 227/1. In the provinces patent theatres were established at Bath by 8 Geo. III. c. 10. Ibid., 227/2. The exclusive rights of the patent theatres were also recognized in the Music Hall Act of 1752.
1892. Daily News, 26 Sept., 2/4. To erect a roomy theatre of varieties—which seems to be modern English for music hall.
1902. Encycl. Brit., XXXI. 45/2 (s.v. Music Halls). The ‘saloon theatres’ of the ’thirties were the music halls of to-day, and they owed their form and existence to the restrictive action of the patent theatres. Ibid., 46/2. The saloon theatres rarely offended the patent houses, and when they did the law was soon put in motion.
1911. London Opinion, 13 May, 248/1. A picture theatre [where] such films as Foxhunting … the Boat Race … or the Derby are being shown.
† 3. transf. a. The stage or platform on which a play is acted. Obs.
1589. Rider, Bibl. Schol., 1484. A theater, or scaffold whereon musitions, singers, or such like shew their cunning, orchestra.
1647. Trapp, Comm. Rom. i. 20. Clearly seen: As in a mirrour, or as on a theatre.
1659. Stanley, Hist. Philos., III. III. 23. Some plead in the Forum, others act on the theater.
a. 1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), IV. 93. Like the ghost on a theatre.
b. A theatreful of spectators; the audience, or ‘house,’ at a theatre. (Cf. HOUSE sb. 4 g.)
1602. Shaks., Ham., III. ii. 31. The censure of the which One [the judicious], must in your allowance o’reway a whole Theater of Others.
1634. Heywood, Maidenhead lost, I. Wks. 1874, IV. 112. ’Twas a glorious sight, Fit for a Theater of Gods to see.
1894. Gladstone, Hor., Odes, xvii. [xx.] 29. The theatre thrice clapped you then.
c. Dramatic performances as a branch of art, or as an institution; the drama.
1668. Dryden, Ess. Dram. Poesy, Ess. (ed. Ker), I. 56. By his encouragement, Corneille, and some other Frenchmen, reformed their theatre, which before was as much below ours, as it now surpasses it.
a. 1859. L. Hunt, Shewe Faire Seeming, v. Poems (1860), 178. For much the stage he lov’d, and wise theàtre.
1880. Scribner’s Mag., June, 286. Their chief delight is the theater or opera.
d. Dramatic works collectively.
1640. C. G., in Brome, Antipodes, To Censuring Criticks. He [Jonson] was often pleas’d, to feed your eare With the choice dainties of his Theatre.
1703. Addison, Prol. to Steele’s Tender Hush., 9. But now Our British Theatre can boast Drolles of all kinds, a Vast Unthinking Hoast!
1880. Cornh. Mag., Aug., 156. Any two plays in the whole Shakespearian theatre.
1881. Saintsbury, Dryden, iii. 38. Except in Congreve’s two editions and in the bulky edition of Scott, Dryden’s theatre is unattainable.
4. A temporary platform, dais, or other raised stage, for any public ceremony.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1334/1. It was found better for them by the aduise of the prince of Orange … to tarie for his highnesse vpon a theater which was prepared for him.
[1621. Execution at Prague, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), III. 410. The theatrum, or scaffold of timber, which was to be erected, and whereupon the … execution of the prisoners … was to be performed.]
1680. Lond. Gaz., No. 1475/3. Then his Lordship conducted their Royal Hignesses to the Hall, at the South end whereof, was erected a Theater of 42 Foot in length, and 40 in breadth, covered with Carpets and rising five steps from the ground.
1696. Phillips (ed. 5), Theater,… said in general, of any Scaffold erected for the performance or sight of any publick Ceremony.
1820. A. Taylor, Glory of Regality, 178. A large platform called the Theatre; in the midst of this are placed the royal thrones.
1838. Order Coron. Q. Vict. The Queen … passes up through the body of the Church,… and so up the Stairs to the Theatre.
1902. Westm. Gaz., 11 Aug., 4/2. According to the original order of service the King and Queen would have ascended the steps to the ‘Theatre’—a square platform which had been erected in the central space under the ’Lantern.’
5. A room or hall fitted with tiers of rising seats facing the platform, lecturer’s table, or president’s seat, for lectures, scientific demonstrations, etc.
The (Sheldonian) Theatre (at Oxford), the building in which the great assemblies of the University are held, and honorary degrees are given at the annual Commemoration.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage, VI. xi. 521. That is now rather become a Sepulcher of Sciences, then a Theater, there being not above five Students.
1641. Evelyn, Diary, 28 Aug. I was much pleased with a sight of their Anatomy schole, theater, and repository adjoyning.
1669. Wood, Life, 9 July (O.H.S.), II. 165. Theater consecrated. The Archbishop’s [Sheldon’s] letter in English (read in Convocation) wherby he tells the vice-chancellor and Convocation that he had layd by 2000 li. for a purchase to keep the Theater in repayr.
1721. Sheldonian theatre [see TERRÆ FILIUS 2].
1766. Entick, London, IV. 264. The surgeons erected a theatre in the Old-bailey.
1910. Kelly’s Directory of Oxford, 52. Of the many ceremonials and receptions which have taken place in the theatre, the most imposing … were the visit of the allied sovereigns in 1814, and the installation of the last five chancellors. Ibid., 37/2. The Radcliffe Infirmary and County Hospital…. A new operating theatre was erected in 1898.
6. fig. Something represented as a theatre (in sense 1 or 2) in relation to a course of action performed or a spectacle displayed; esp. a place or region where some thing or action is presented to public view (literally or metaphorically).
1581. in Confer., II. (1584), K iv. They … are set before all mens eyes, and in the middest of the Theatre of the whole world.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., II. vii. 136. This wide and vniuersall Theater Presents more wofull Pageants then the Sceane Wherein we play in.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, V. x. 246. Asia, the theatre whereon they were acted, is at a great distance.
1684. T. Burnet, Th. Earth, I. 173. Earth was the first theater upon which mortals appear’d and acted.
1713. Young, Last Day, I. 51. Wide theatre! where tempests play at large.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., XI. III. 267. A theatre on which he might display his great qualities.
1798. Washington, Lett., Writ. (1893), XIV. 21. The propriety … of my again appearing on a Public theatre, after declaring the sentiments I did in my Valedictory Address.
1855. Brewster, Newton, II. xvi. 104. An event … which … placed him in a noble position on the theatre of public life.
1877. Bryant, Ruins of Italica, ii. A tragic theatre, where Time Acts his great fable.
b. A place where some action proceeds; the scene of action. Cf. SCENE, STAGE.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., Ded. A vj. The most renowned countries and kingdomes:… the theaters of valour and heroicall actions.
1654. trans. Martini’s Conq. China, 198. Which Country was the Theater of all his Brutalities.
1720. Ozell, Vertot’s Rom. Rep., II. xi. 194. The Theatre of a Civil War.
1774. J. Adams, in Fam. Lett. (1876), 26. To-morrow we reach the theatre of action.
1830. Lyell, Princ. Geol., I. 199. The theatre of violent earthquakes.
1879. Mendell, Art of War, iii. 75. The theater of operations of an army embraces all the territory it may desire to invade and all that it may be necessary to defend.
1889. W. J. Dawson, Threshold of Manhood, vi. 114. They [the foulest monsters of humanity] acted out the drama of wrong a thousand times in the empty theatre of the heart.
† 7. A book giving a ‘view’ or ‘conspectus’ of some subject; a textbook, manual, treatise. (Chiefly in titles of such books.) Obs.
1566[?]. J. Alday, tr. Boaystuau (title), Theatrum Mundi, the Theatre or rule of the world, wherein may be sene the running race and course of euerye mans life, as touching miserie and felicity.
1599. R. Allot (title), Wits Theater of the little World.
1611. Speed (title), The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine: Presenting an exact Geography of the Kingdomes of England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Iles adioyning.
1640. Parkinson (title), Theatrum Botanicum, The Theater of Plantes, or An Universall and Compleate Herball.
1657. S. Purchas (title), A Theatre of Politicall Flying-Insects.
1704. R. Monteith (title), A Theater of Mortality; Or, the Illustrious Inscriptions … upon the several Monuments … within the Grey-friars Church-Yard [etc.] of Edinburgh.
† 8. transf. A thing displayed to view; a sight, scene, spectacle; a gazing-stock.
1606. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. I. Tropheis, 343. All cast their eyes on this sad Theater.
1640. Petit. A. Leighton, in Chandler, Hist. Persec. (1736), 370. He was made a Theatre of Misery to Men and Angels.
1646. Evance, Noble Ord., 38. If there be any that are made a Theature unto the world,… it is such as Paul [cf. 1 Cor. iv. 9].
9. attrib. and Comb., as theatre-bill, coat, hat, -house, -haunter, -light, -pit, -poster, -ticket, -train, -tram, -wrap, etc.; theatre-like adj. and adv.
1577. T. W[ilcocks], Serm. Pawles Crosse, 46. Beholde the sumptuous Theatre houses.
1611. Cotgr., Coeste,… vsed by the auncient Grecians in their Theater combats.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 253. Some hills that stand encompassed theatre-like.
1846. Thackeray, L. Blanchard, Wks. 1900, XIII. 477. The young fellow,… theatre-stricken, poetry-stricken.
1856. Kingsley, Misc., Plays & Purit. (1859), II. 137. Theatre-haunters were turning Romanists.
1873. Routledge’s Yng. Gentl. Mag., April, 282/2. Theatre lights are lime-light jets fitted into square boxes.
1897. Globe, 18 Feb., 6/3. Very handsome theatre coats and jackets are worn at the play in London. Ibid. The fashionable theatre bodice.
1905. Longm. Mag., April, 501. The people you meet in buses and trams and theatre-trains.
b. Special combs.: theatre-floor: see quot.; theatre-goer, one who frequents theatres; so theatre-going sb. and adj.; theatre-land, the district of a town (spec. of London) in which most of the theatres are situated; theatre-party (U.S.), a party in which the guests, besides being entertained at dinner or supper, are taken to a theatre; theatre-seat, a seat of which the bottom is made to fold back when not occupied, so as to leave a wider passage; a tip-up seat used in theatres, also on tram-cars, etc.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., *Theater-floor, an inclined floor in a public building, as a lecture-hall, affording a better view of the platform from rear seats.
1874. Macm. Mag., Aug., 281. *Theatre-goers … who have long winced over the pale and unwholesome jokes of patchy vaudevilles.
1853. Household Words, VI. 63. The Parisians … are evidently a more *theatre-going people than the Londoners.
1883. Harper’s Mag., June, 126/1. Theatre-going and … card-playing are … permitted.
1905. Daily Chron., 28 Dec., 4/7. [St. Martin’s parish] Bishop Burnet described as ‘the greatest cure in England.’ *‘Theatreland’ we name it now.
1907. H. Wyndham, Flare of Footlights, xxxvi. The comfortable little house [the Sheridan theatre], situated in the very heart of theatre-land.
1885. A. Forbes, Souvenirs of Continents, 239. A New York *‘theatre party.’
1903. Smart Set, IX. 145/1. I’ve given theatre-parties to them, and watched them rustle in and fill box after box.
Hence Theatre, -er v., intr. to go to the theatre; Theatredom, the domain or sphere of things theatrical and persons connected therewith; also, the district in which theatres are situated; Theatreful, as many as a theatre will hold; Theatreless a., without a theatre or theatrical entertainments; Theatrewards adv., towards a theatre; Theatre-wise adv., in the manner of a theatre.
1896. Pall Mall Mag., 495. If a woman dances, and drives, and *theatres,… she keeps herself too chronically tired to think.
1906. Daily Chron., 26 June, 4/7. Our round of entertainments … [does] not cease till we have lunched, motored, tea’d, dined, theatred, and supped.
1890. Daily News, 29 Dec., 3/1. London *theatredom,…—if we may be allowed the expression—is, roughly speaking, about ten miles wide by six miles deep.
1904. Westm. Gaz., 5 May, 1/3. Those versed in the inner lite of London theatredom.
1902. 19th Cent., Aug., 284. Get together a *theatreful of people to hear it.
1853. Chamb. Jrnl., XX. 409/2. The dreary prospect of a supperless, *theatreless Lent.
1897. Daily News, 3 May, 8/6. Walking slowly *theatrewards.
1629. Maxwell, trans. Herodian (1635), 164. A goodly spacious Plaine … lying under a row of Hills, *Theatre wise.
1737. [S. Berington], G. di Lucca’s Mem. (1738), 227. Two Rows of young Men and Women, placed Theatre-wise one above another.
